'I Run the Country and the World': Trump Asserts Dominance in Atlantic Interview

'I Run the Country and the World': Trump Asserts Dominance in Atlantic Interview

DECK
In a provocative new interview, President Trump outlines his second-term ambitions and reflects on a White House he now claims to govern with global reach—while tensions rise over leaked defense communications.

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KEY FACTS

1. What: President Donald Trump gives an exclusive interview to The Atlantic

2. When: Interview conducted April 24; published April 28

3. Where: The White House, Oval Office

4. Why it matters: Trump made sweeping claims about his global influence, criticized past officials, and addressed 'Signalgate'

5. Notable quote: 'I run the country and the world.'

6. Context: Comes as Trump’s approval drops to 39% amid economic concerns and political backlash

7. Backdrop: Interview followed leak involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and classified Yemen war planning via Signal

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SITUATION SNAPSHOT
Inside the presidential office that has seen more than its share of drama, Donald Trump leaned into his signature bravado. Behind the iconic Resolute Desk, he delivered sweeping declarations of global control, political rebirth, and tech-world respect—punctuated by a wry smile and a freshly ignited feud with The Atlantic.

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WHAT WE KNOW
President Trump’s latest sit-down with The Atlantic offered insight into his second-term mindset. He contrasted the turbulence of his first tenure with what he sees as a more commanding return to power.

"The first time, I had two things to do — run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys. And the second time, I run the country and the world," Trump said.

The April 24 interview was led by reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, and also attended by Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg—who was recently entangled in an accidental leak of classified planning for U.S. military strikes in Yemen, dubbed 'Signalgate'. Goldberg’s unintentional presence in a Signal chat with top Trump-era defense officials exposed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confidential briefings.

Since his return to office, Trump has issued over 140 executive orders, reinforcing his go-it-alone approach to policymaking while taking aim at political rivals.

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WHAT’S NEXT
White House aides suggest Trump will continue bypassing congressional hurdles through aggressive executive actions. Meanwhile, further details surrounding the 'Signalgate' incident are expected in upcoming oversight hearings, as lawmakers demand answers over national security lapses.

Analysts are watching how Trump’s intensified use of unilateral power may strain both domestic alliances and international diplomacy.

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VOICES ON THE GROUND
"I’m having a lot of fun, considering what I do,” said Trump, defending his polarizing style. “You know, what I do is such serious stuff.”

When asked about his growing rapport with corporate elites, he responded, “It’s just a higher level of respect. I don’t know. Maybe they didn’t know me at the beginning, and they know me now.”

Trump also shared his motivations for agreeing to the interview, stating, "I did it out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if it's possible for The Atlantic to be 'truthful.'"

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CONTEXT
Trump’s history with The Atlantic has been fraught with animosity. Tensions escalated after the magazine reported in 2020 that he privately disparaged fallen American soldiers as “suckers” and “losers”—a claim Trump vehemently denied.

The resurfacing of this media rivalry, now mixed with the high-stakes ‘Signalgate’ revelation, underscores the volatile intersection of Trump’s presidency, media scrutiny, and national security.

Public perception appears to be shifting. A joint poll by The Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos shows Trump’s approval rating dropping to 39%, with the economy and foreign policy as major flashpoints.

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REPORTER INSIGHT
From the glint in his eye to the power-laced rhetoric, Trump appears energized by his return—operating with a confidence that mirrors the scale of the stakes. Inside the West Wing, one senses not just a man reliving power, but reshaping it in his image. Whether that leads to greater influence or deeper fractures remains to be seen.